104-10119-10182 | 2025 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992 |
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16 February 1970

: Director of Security

: Comments on Manuscript Give Us This Day;

CIA and the Bay of Figs Invasion by Edward J.
Hamilton

‘This mmanuecript has ‘evidently been kicking around in publishing
circles since at least mid-1968, presumably without CJA clearance.
William Buckley of the National Review seems to have been "shopping” it
at one point, One publisher rejected it as too "controversial", and noted .
its. confidential’ nature as well as its potential for libel suits.

2. in the foreword to this manuscript, the author (whom I shall
under his assumed name of Hamilton), describes the book as a
al account" of CIA's role in the Bay of Pigs affair in which he was
: ¢-CIA participant for 19 months. He notes in the foreword his hope

that somsone would have written this book so that he would not have to do

it; now convinced that, if he does not write it, it will never be written,
_he has taken up his pen "reluctantly and in a mood of nostalgic bitterness."
Hamilton. states that he has used no official files or documents and has:
ted no one in preparing this work. Where true names are used in
ke rnanuscript for CIA personnel, he writes that they have been publicly

entified before, and in this contention I believe that he is correct, with

possible exception offdim’ Roe i] The author's claim that this book

would provide no information not known to Castro's intelligence service,
or that details this late are of no value to the opposition,iz, in my view,
seriously open to question.

3. The book is, in general,favorable to CIA actions in the Bay of
The villains of the piece are certain liberal figures in the Kennedy
inistration (Schlesinger, Goodwin, Stevenson) and to some extent, -
F resident himself. In his concluding chapter, the author's bitterness
is Undisguised against those in the Administration and the presa who took
the opportunity of the Bay of Pigs incident to attack and denigrate CIA,

4, Messrs.:: -Biesell ‘and Barnes and the author's other CIA co-
workers in the Cuban Project, by and large, are given quite favorable
reatment. One exception is General Cabell, whom the author excoriates,
and it is apparent that Hamilton's opinion of Jerry Droller is far from

, bene "_ RETURN TO CIA “
noc ee Background es Only
buck i Do Not Reprodued ee)

Ca
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nt is apparent that Hazollton feels - very deeply about the Bay of ;,
P gs and its aftermath, to the extent that he‘is willing to put his caree
som the Hae by circulating this manuscript to several publishers without.”
“apparent clearance or suthorisation.: [He has utilised as his nom de plo
' aie assigned tohim in the project for dealing with the: Cubaa‘
= at wopld aot take anyone who was s involved in the Cuban. Project

hated Narnia cn CIA cocexiey.. ‘This analysis states -
what the author states, whether right or wrong. “Where. Thave occasion:
=e y added comments of my own: thoy are tn brackets (J.

As noted above

“Distribution 0 2 w/att. |
Origk 2 - DI SernBAY et

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- a othe ghapter opens , in 1986. in Ambassador Garduex's “éttice. fa Havane,
Ww re © courtesy call was being paid on the Ambassador by the CIA Central:
_, dmericanand Caribbean. Chiefs of Station who are holding their annual regional. "
“7 amnocting,s “Reis noted that one of the reasons for selecting the place of meeting.
< =2re the: “absonce’ Y f Comnraunist embassies” (pe 8. The presence. of Col. ait

4 ly invelved”. ‘4nthe Bogotaso,: setting the stage for Harailton's subse-
‘ ¢ comment. © [Actually Castro played a junior role'in the Bogotaze, and
at wan after the Bay of Pigs that. Mz, Dalles assigned Hamilton the tak, of
determining ‘Castea'g-role in the ‘Bogotazo. } {p- 7)..: Hamilton states that:
‘subsequent: three-years, ‘while while ‘funds ‘wore being ‘eellected in South America
fot Castro's, 26th ‘of July Movement, there were no orders: ‘from ‘GIA. ‘Head-
zters to penetrate pre-Castro groups abroad (p.°10).” He then states: ‘that
‘jn March 1960 he was “having coffee with the nowly-elected president of the
gentry to which Iwas assigned.” (p.10) {This could reveal the author's -

me President ident Hardon al sf teeemeymne became President in.
ch 1960) |

2. Mr. ‘Richard ‘Bissell and: ‘Ms. ‘Tracy Barnes are » mentioned and
‘the author adds that he had worked with ‘Barnes as a member of the team ~ _
7  pusted President Arden: from Guatemala {p. 11); At this point] Hamilton
ocalled to Headquarters to become ‘Chief.af Political Action in.an! 3...
on «approved project to assist ‘Caban exiles in overthrowing ‘Castro. ~
duties would include organising Cuban leaders into 6. ‘government-in-. -
which would form a provisional government in Cuba when Castro was
cod out. ‘Samilten's base was to be in'Cesta Rica, provided ex-President °:
“‘Figueres. could obtain Costa Rican agreement (p-21).-' [This ‘link could |
in wiew of Figuares' xpcent re-election » as a Presigent,

co Pit Mt this. ‘point the manuscript. introduces the Project Chief a Joke.
joumably Mr.: “Esterline}, who is referred to as Jake throughout (p.. 12).
also meet Droller about whom there is some “diversity in attitudes”
ong CIA officers. Droller's operational name of Frank Bender is noted (p13),
‘and he is referred to as Bender throughout the rest of the manuscript. | {This
is not the first time Droller has been identified as. Bender; his mame was =.
gown by Arthur Schlesinger in his book A_ Thousand Days in 1965.}- ‘Bender's => .-
, “cover telephone ‘arrangements in Miami and New York, which allowed him to
answer local calls there at his Washington desk, are disclosed {p. 14). °
Fnmiltn etaton hat Bender tld lm cat ae fara he bnww “Richard Hales Bo:
‘the “Gandeatine’ ‘Services, had not been cut in™.{p. Mes us,

a cr"

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3 3 EVES Gilt


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| chapter
- that he viait Havana, and that the CIA Cover Staff provided him with the docu-
mentation for his operational alies of Edward J. Hamilton which he kept for
duration of the Project (p. 23). Upon returning from Havana, ‘Hasmilton |
da report and recommendaticas., ‘Phe first recommendation was that
Strobe assassinated before oF coincident with the invasion.’ Mamiltos coa-
dered this his principal secommendstion, ‘but Barnes would oaly tell him |
ok subscqutntly that it was in the bands ‘of a “special group.” ° ‘86 fer as Hazailton
~ wes pole to determine,’ -mo plan was ever developed within "GIA to assassinate
& i p. 130: [These comineate would be-ustortansts if published:

7 ject for the Vice President. “Slamilton states that Cashman advised him that
_.. Nixon “as Chairman [sic] of the National Security Council, wae the real |
- ‘Sams ping tend thn proce” tte Aminietrion's fol peat and troubles

: ahooter regarding it. © “The General gave Hamilton his private telephone =. ,
‘in the event that he had something for the Vice President's urgent |

SEQET

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3Mamiltos tells. of visitiag Project |
ables, noting the building's Gisguise us an-slectronics firm for cover pur-*
es {p. 39), as well as ‘CIA subsidies to Cubsn exils ‘groups and newspapers.
7 Project, -

ates Sat thn py Aen eres rere ote Toe a fud
idiosyncrasion, ‘as well ne gonne macoeat of those wholwoilé not join.


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Qupter Th (commencing at page. “5. This is a second Chapter I end,

i
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i

atiempt tot having fafled, it

d to set them up in Mexico City, to which Hamilten-aad his /
“yepaived. Hamilton's office was to be independent ‘the Station}
Se at Ns Sac Sstsneesed bam Be principal manage ;

Se ee eee eee nee ote Unpeseitie to ealaia
Toms children = he should be living under an assumed same in
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“one of the world's most experienced

hs U. 8, citisenship.{p. 59). CIA fasiding of tha Frente thr

: came to the attention of the der including:s

a

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PAL *

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pn.
: efforts inte Cuba, tha roll-up
Mand tae pone secnrd fr livering supplies to those’:
* gotten inte ‘Cuba... “Maritime operations :


ES OLY ~

Be: “te me: ‘chapter Hamiltca levels some eritictom at Ambasasder
Bonsal, ‘whom he. describes as § tneftectual a sal whoea tie calls "famsiling ©”

OB
Moet'3 ervivil at ae Miami Base,
| lowing the seve 5 >. gelations with Gaba, as “unwelcome”, |
Decause he felt him tobe “basically either soft on Communism or st least -
ferribly confused about the issues" {p.96). Hamilton offers his criticiem ~
of Manuel (Manolo] Ray becense the latter had stayed wit ‘Castro too long -


~ HBG  ~

_ 9-

es 3 1 * ‘salates Hamatiton's touchy visit, ith scat iraamaibora’’ om
ee the Fronte; ete rcmcha training bases, Their breakfast conversa-‘«
* - tions-with President ‘Ydigoras are described. .This breakfast wives the author
_. ) g chance'to reflect back on the CIA role in the overthrow of Guatemalan. - +
‘ » President Arbens: He recalls the three exiled leaders of Guatemala, his
@wm support for Dr. Cordova to head the new government, and State's veto .
-of Col. Ydigoras:as “vaguely authoritarian.” At a crocial moment, howeves, -
“Dr. Cordova had te undergo cancer surgery. and therefore could not be salectad;
| wthe-cholce fell.on Castillo Armas. Now Ydigores. was Piesident but was sub-

Sen Saree et
m Taigeres. ‘(Davis’ name hes been peullshed Jat

i “ghee Guatessaian trataing site, Hamilton refers to being greeted
there by an American Army Lt. Colonel whose name was “Freank."“ Ina:
footnote, Hanillton adds that this cfficer had been detailed to CIA for the”
“Project;-and that “Credible allegations of his actions during the invasion |
strongly suggest that he-was to some extent mentally uabalanced” (p.. 124).
conversations between Hamiltoa and “Frank”, ‘as well as the initial
‘unfortunate polemics of Frente-chiol Tony Varona, are described. “hon

. “The presence “od Greci Berete to help in the training of fee a
; ‘Brignée is-noted,: Coleone] Lake’ presence end | parachute fraining 12 is. ania Bae
": mentionsd (pp. 155-138), se -

t ba

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SRG ay Tracy Barees ‘Hamilton se peliskangee al

_ tone whexe the Jatter is working'oa his famous White Payer on Gaba {p..15D,°

po “was there that Hamilton learned that Secretary of State Rusk had-veto!d the “”

Pe _, exiginal point-of davasion as toc “noisy.

os mesting and asks Baraes if everything was going wall, \ Hamilton interprets

miosting Sod nh ae i er err ankarender hove dhsot tot erveaion plas

_Which the latter had subsequently denied. ““Marailtos‘alse mentions the fact.
: of bles Setefing of Stevendion bales rethe


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a ‘Hamilton states that. the: Joint Gilets of ‘Staff assessment team.
-  ayhsited:the Guatemalan eamps and issued an enthusiastic appraissl as to
the: Brigads's ‘training and battle readiness. {p.'160). The wuthor notes,
‘ahat. this was important in. the. Mae of Post-tavasion attempts |

“Gua footaate, ‘Hiamfiton writes that * afier the invasion. ‘Ponder.
proce by Oe racer the exiles referred to'him: freely, and ‘useall
Latte 5 ee ee «Hamilton ‘also adds that he ‘learned: that
; Noadanat Gel.: King’s crony", were becoming increasing!
‘active ‘among non-Frente Cubans in ‘Washington and New York. tp. 163). :
“ital presumably out ‘across Hamilton's political action Mnea:} ° rr a

- 3. ~The remainder ofthe chapter is largely taken up’ with dlacassions
of iotra-Frenté. ‘problems, with a note of the fact that American infiltre-"
‘ton. operations | into’ ‘Gabe had virtually conned because: ‘of theis lack call

tee tuted

“ ‘Sen

oS gy 2

QATD

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to. ceding with, Misael, Backes, Jake, Bontse end(Sa:
qattitt the whise Howse canted a broader base in the Previn; and, ;
how important tt waa te the ‘White House to bring Manolo Ray into't picture. -
Hemlton potted ot rie ee Car eiitjanaleated that Ray wetace Da be
c se retans ve hare tent

Gato

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on ~ tion to obtain a re-fusling stop an the sewing to neces Mee ce ee aaca
_ -to'bomb Cuba failed because: of the a venality of» vines ths force: officer,

. 3. With. 5 eogard to the selection of the Bay of Pigs » landing site, aE
oS - Hamilton states that. assault plans were almost entirely in the hands of the .
_ “Pentagon{p. 205). “Relations. with Lem Jones! pele yelations fire ja -

ar “GEA project afficer is flown to the: , Carries’ Boxer, ‘agehip of

a naval task force that was assémbled in Puerto Rican waters.. ‘This -.-
. officer was to serve as lisisca between the naval task force ‘commander...


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voy 7 psa

and ‘Barnes and Hamilton draft a mesange to Stevenson. “When Stevenson.
"received it‘and was advised of the true nature of the planes, Hamilton’

: * Socal ceod ac ame wt se ‘be .chacked out ‘with

“ Seeretary Bask. athe meantime, the second .atrike was beld up (p. 235).
Cabell and Bissell west to meet Rusk at State.


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8 bs only

ve AB

_ Chapter XiUl (commencing op. a8)
L ‘The tenor of seravke in this chapter aud in the zonctasion of the
__ previous chapter is that the meeting with Rusk included the President, —
"- Restow, and Stevenson. “[Other authoritative accounts have included aly”
Rusk, Cabell and Bissell; Tracy Barnes has said he also was preseat.:.3t
is believed that the President was not at the meeting but was contacted by
‘Rusk on the telephone at his Visginia home. There is no other indicatl:
other thas ‘Hamilton's allegation,’t that ‘Walt Rostow was Present] "{p.2i9).

a
Bibi

7 ns iS AY


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This chapter desc
fpead, “These jeta from the Boxer were allowed a reconnaissance run. gt
| + over.the beach {p. 222), Finally the President avthorised.an hour's alr .
. eieukat dowa before beapragaeend was fone’ OP ee Brigade’ ‘B-26's


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Hanudltca is highly critical of the post-invas
| attacks om CIA by Adminiatration officials and the press.. Hamilton
_;the President's establishment of the Taylor. Comtaltise 10 look into tha
' canses Of-the failure and states his conclusion that the Committee was
“whitewash the New Frontier by heaping guilt on CIA” (p, 234):


